July 30, 2015

...REALLY; right smack in the midst of Georgia's Dog Days of summer with no relief insight of temperatures falling under 100 degrees any time soon, all I can think about sewing are coats and/or jackets.

Photo compliments of Google Images

Nothing beats a great coat or jacket; they are my favorite items to sew. I know, I know; even though I whine, and moan and complain all the way through its construction. Often times when making a coat or jacket I put in much more work than is actually called for or required. Consequently this S-T-R-E-T-C-H-E-S the job out contributing to all my whining and moaning and complaining. In spite of it all, I really love the jacket/coat making process, adore my finished results and have learned so much with each every one that I've made. How long will coats and jackets remain my favorite? - I don't know. But we all know that favorite things are subject to change.

July 22, 2015

Check out my new clutch bag compliments of Michelle of ThatBlackChic.Com's recent giveaway contest. It's a gorgeous inspiration to make one myself - and I think it'a a great gift and stash buster idea too. Christmas is on the way you know. Thanks so very much Michelle!!!

July 19, 2015

...Butterick 5616 cropped jean jacket that is. Took a bit longer than I anticipated but then again so does everything I make. It's just as I envisioned and I am happy with it.

This is one thing that I can mark off the list. Later I'd really like to have one in black after I find black denim online because there's none in my area. Nothing pressing though so I have plenty of time to do a little search.

MY MOTHER: Did you finish your jacket?

ME: After fixing a couple of operator errors, yes I did! And I didn't even cry and whine when making this jacket - did I?

July 17, 2015

Friday is the reward for five days of alarm clocks, rolling out early and dealing with all the week brings our way. On Friday evenings and no one has to guess twice about my whereabouts. I'm happily situated in my sewing room, in here about to hyperventilate with all these pattern possibilities! So whether sewing actually takes place or not this is the way I choose to end the work week. It takes something rather drastic to make me do otherwise.

In the last episode of "Faye's Sewing Adventure" I was all excited about finishing up the "I've just got to have a cropped white jean jacket in my life" saga. Well, the jacket is not finished yet because:

I discovered that I needed to remove and rotate the sleeves;

Low back strain aggravated my sciatica (or was it the other way around); and

Hibernating carpel tunnel syndrome decided to show back up.

It was a rough week people that left little desire for sewing. But after two chiropractic adjustments and a week to recuperate, I'm back in the sewing saddle again praise God. The sleeves have been rotated, the cuffs are on, and there's only 3 things left to do on the Finish Line List.

It's been a simple but fun project; and I think it's going to be the cutest little jacket. I haven't even minded doing all the topstitching after setting up a separate machine with a double needle. So I'm off to do my weekend work. See you soon with a finished project...

July 12, 2015

I'll be joining forces with Rachelle of Smoking Needles blog in one of her Church Outreach Ministry projects. They have set a goal to make and send 500 scarves to the women in a Ugandan village as gifts. The project production end date has been set for August 31st. The finished measurements of the scarves need to be 21 x 21 inches, large enough to be worn as head scarves or neckerchiefs. Guess I need to get busy finishing up my jean jacket, put a new blade in my rotary cutter and get some production started. This ought to be a good way to bust some stash - wouldn't you say??? Giving always leaves me with such WARM FUZZIES. If you'd like to join in, for more information on this project please refer to Rachelle's blog.

Last July I participated in Simple Simon and Company's SKIRTING THE ISSUE PROJECT.
That project gathers lovely handmade skirts that are donated to school
aged foster children from your own state. It only took a little bit of my time to fashion
up 2 cute little skirts that I'm sure 2 little girls enjoyed wearing to
school. I busted a little stash, and it left me with a warm fuzzy
feeling so it was a win win situation. They are shooting for 1,000 skirts this year. I think I'll join in again this year as well...

July 7, 2015

...what type of sewing frenzy I might end up on. During the past two years I planned to, but did not end up make any summer jackets. This summer I've already made two - blogged about (here) and (here). Now I'm planning my third one of the season

Butterick 5616, view B

Over the past few years I have learned a whole lot about jacket and coat making. I do know, however; that I still have even more to learn about fitting and construction. Every jacket project teaches me more and more. Just in time for my next project I found that Gentleman Jim has just released his Tailored Jacket Construction Shortcuts Course.

I found out about the course through his Facebook Page (just type in Gentleman Jim and look for his June 24th post if interested.

I couldn't wait to peruse his PowerPoint presentation, PDF and watch the video clips. I found an awful lot of value for the cost, and gathered some very helpful information in my first viewing. I will be using some of his techniques and tips in the construction of my upcoming project even though it's not a tailored jacket. Of course I'll be letting you know about my new jacket progress...

About Me

...I started sewing in junior high and it did not come natural. Nothing that I've ever tried to do has come easy and sewing was no exception. I guess it's the stubbornness in me but when I don't do something well I JUST TRY HARDER! I sewed for many years, and then did not sew for about 15 years because I became a business owner and it took up all of my time. But after several years of searching for a creative outlet, it was God who whispered in my ear "Why don't you start sewing again!" That was in late 2006, and now sewing has become my passion again. I am the proud mother of one; and an even prouder grandmother of four; an instructor by day and a sewist by night. It's quite an exciting adventure!

September 26 - Pre-treated shell fabric and lining (I'M READY TO CUT!!!!) Toyed with the idea of underlining the coat because the wool flannel is so light weight....but I don't know. Will think about it a little more today. I love Lady Grey, but I'm getting a little tired of her at the same time. I don't like it when projects take so long!

September 25 - Sewed Muslin #2 with 1" seam allowances. Muslin too large, made decision to go back to original muslin: made small swayback adjustment on center back pattern piece and center back lining piece.